Compare and Contrast:
Grades K-2
Learning objective: Following the completion of this objective, students will be able to indicate
similarities and differences country songs.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (Kindergarten)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information
presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details
and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
Common Core Mathematics Standards (Kindergarten)
CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.A.2 Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in
common, to see which object has “more of”/“less of” the attribute, and describe the difference.
For example, directly compare the heights of two children and describe one child as
taller/shorter.
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater
than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and
counting strategies.1
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.A.1 Count to 100 by ones and by tens.
MNPS Science Standards
GLE 0007.Inq.3. Explain the data from an investigation
The songs in this activity are available on the Nashville Public Library (NPL) website through
Freegal Music. To access the songs, log into FreegalMusic.com using your library card number
and pin. You can then search for the songs by title or artist name.
“Davidson County Blues” by DeFord Bailey.
“Country Boy” by Ricky Skaggs
“Mountain Music” by Alabama
“Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks
About String City
Created by Nashville Public Library’s Wishing Chair Productions,
in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Made possible by a special gift from Judy and Steve Turner to
the Nashville Public Library Foundation.
1. On a piece of chart paper or poster board, Create a graph similar to the one below
(Alternative categories can include “Makes you want to dance/Does not make you want
to dance,” “Guitar/Other instrument,” or any other opposites or elements of music that
you are working on in your classrooms:
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Loud
Soft
Fast
Slow
Happy
Sad
2. Choose a song and tell the students its title. Explain that the title is the name of the
song. Tell the students to listen carefully to the song.
3. After playing the song, hand each student a Post-It note. Let the students vote on
whether they thought the song was loud or soft, fast or slow, happy or sad. After all of
the students have voted, count the votes to determine what the class thought about the
song.
4. You can listen to an additional song and compare and contrast the graphs by answering
the following questions:
Which song was the loudest? How do you know?
Which song was the softest? How do you know?
Which song was the fastest? How do you know?
Which song was the slowest? How do you know?
Which song was the happiest? How do you know?
Which song was the saddest? How do you know?
Compare and
Contrast: Grades 2-4
Learning objective: Following completion of the lesson, students will be able to listen
critically to and identify the many important aspects of a song by comparing and
contrasting four songs.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (4th Grade):
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather
relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize
information, and provide a list of sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard
English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
The songs in this activity are available on the Nashville Public Library (NPL) website
through Freegal Music. To access the songs, log into FreegalMusic.com using your
library card number and pin. You can then search for the songs by title or artist name.
1. Pass out the following notes chart to students. Review each of the categories
and answer questions the students have about filling out their charts.
2. Play the song “Davidson County Blues” by DeFord Bailey for the class. Students
should take notes while they listen to remember aspects they think are important.
3. Play the song “Country Boy” by Ricky Skaggs for the class. Students should
again take notes while they listen.
4. After playing two songs, have students compare their notes with a partner.
5. Play the song “Mountain Music” by Alabama for the class. Students should take
notes while they listen to remember aspects they think are important.
6. Play the song “Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks for the class. Students
should again take notes while they listen.
7. Let students compare their notes with a different partner this time.
8. After students have compared notes, review the note-taking sheet as a class.
Students can then choose two songs and complete the Venn diagram as an
independent assignment.
Homework: Have students choose two of their personal favorite songs and fill out either
the note-taking sheet or Venn diagram.
Venn Diagram: Compare and Contrast Two Pieces of Country Music
Additional Resources
Picture Books
Banjo Granny, Sarah Martin Busse
Coat of Many Colors, Dolly Parton
Home On the Range: John A. Lomax and His Cowboy Songs, Deborah Hopkinson
I Am a Rainbow, Dolly Parton
The Last Train, Gordon Titcomb
Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals, Ashley Bryan
Mama Is a Miner, George Ella Lyon
My Family Plays Music, Judy Cox
My Mountain Song, Shutta Crum
Passing the Music Down, Sarah Sullivan
Sing, Joe Paposo
When Uncle Took the Fiddle, Libba Moore Gray
Fiction
Come Sing, Jimmy Jo, Katherine Patterson
Not Exactly Nashville, Betsy Kuhn
Stars That Shine, Julie Clay and Dan Anderson
Nonfiction
The Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song, Frank M. Young and David Lasky
Country (A History of American Music), Christopher Handyside
Country: Sounds of Music, David and Patricia Armentrout
The Cowgirl Way: Hats Off to America's Women of the West, Holly George-Warren
Honky-Tonk Heroes and Hillbilly Angels: The Pioneers of Country and Western Music, Holly
George-Warren
My First Book of Cowboy Songs, Dolly M. Moon
Nashville Counts: A Counting & Art Book, Vadis Turner and Matthew Parker
Rubber Band Banjos and a Java Jive Bass: Projects and Activities on the Science of Music and
Sound, Alex Sabbeth
Saturday Nights with Daddy at the Opry, Libby Leverett-Crew
DVD
Sesame Street Kids' Favorite Country Songs (DVD)
Further Reading with Parents
The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Country Music, general editor Tony Byworth
Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash